DCLM Higher Everyday 22 April 2023 — Motives matter in fasting
DCLM Higher Everyday 22 April 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Motives matter in fasting
Read all Previous DCLM Higher Everyday Devotionals
TOPIC: Motives Matter In Fasting.
Text — Matthew 6:16-18
17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Key Verse: “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:16).
Message
In His sermon, our Lord Jesus rebuked hypocrites and corrected several erroneous practices of those days as it is today. He warned against public shows of religion like publicizing charity to the poor and praying to attract the attention of people. He taught His followers conditions for acceptable fasting. God looks beyond our outward display. He searches our hearts and judges by the motives behind every action. (1 Samuel 16:7).
A young Christian brother fasted for 21 days to show of his prayer ability and almost died after the fasting.
The pretentious Scribes and Pharisees hid under tradition to transgress the laws of God. Their charity, prayer, and fasting were for public display. The hypocrites pay themselves ‘’their reward’’ because they attract applause from men for their fasting.
Define your purpose of fasting and ensure you really spend time praying. Fasting is not starvation. Any practice of religion that does not encourage faith and uprightness of heart will not please God. Righteousness is a factor in acceptable fasting. If you are a sinner Jesus can save and transform you today.
Quote: God looks beyond our outward display
Challenge: Holiness precedes profitable fasting and prayer.
Prayer for today: O God, save me from vanity of religious activities.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
